Table and the like



Apri 29, 1941. w, L EVANS 2,240,395

TABLE AND T HE LIKE E Il E I Inventor WeIEvanS,

April 29, 1941.

W. J. EVAN S TABLE AND THE LIKE Filed April 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor WJEvcms,

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Att ney W. J. EVANS TABLE AND THE LIKE Filed April 14, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F ig. 4.

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Atto rey April 29, 1941.l

April 29, 1941.- w. J. EvAN-s '2,240,395

TABLE AND THE LIKE Filed April 14,-19s9 5 sheets-sheet 4' WJEz/ans,

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. April 29, 1941. w. J. EVANS 2,240,395

TABLE AND THE LIKE Fig. 10..

329/ l /l/Zw In ven tor Att ey Patenied Apr. 29, 1941 TABLE AND THE LEBE William llandes Evans, Buiweil, Nottingham, England (Cl. Bil-35) 3 Claims.

This invention comprises improvements in or relating to tables and the like, and refers to tables of the kind having a top that can be swivelled or pivotally displaced in relation to its support or supports, and has means for releasably xing same in position for use. For example, the table may be provided with a top which is reversible, thereby enabling either `side of the top to bebrought uppermost at will.

An important object of the invention is to provide particularly simple and eiective means for rigidly fixing the swivelling or pivotally displaceable table top in its required position; and for releasing said topto permit of same being displaced from said position, said means permitting of the fixing and release being eiected more easily and expeditiously than is possible with previously employed or proposed constructions.

According to `the present invention a table or thelike of the kind referred tois provided, Where-- in the pivotally displaceable or swivelling top is releasably xed in an operative or in use positionby the operation or manipulation of a device at the axis of movement of said top.

Viewing the invention from one aspect, same provides a table or the like having a top mounted to swivel about an axis so as to bring either of its two opposite sides uppermost, and including means operable at said axis for fixing of said top in either of its two positions and for releasing same for reversal. i

The swivelling or pivotally displaceable top ci the table in this invention is rigidly retained against movement when in use by the co-operation of parts or elements provided at opposite side. edgesA of the top and at adjacent parts of side members between which said top is mounted. For example, there may be provided keys, ribs, pegs or the like adapted to co-operate with slots, grooves or holes, or there may be provided rabbeted jointsV or equivalent overlapping joints between theY top and its supports.. In all cases, however, the top is quickly released for swivelling and 'xed against movement by the operation of a device at the axis of movement of the'top.

Viewing the invention from yet another aspect, same provides a table having a top mounted to be swivelled or'pivotally displaced between side supports, said supports and the adjacent side edges of the top having co-operating parts or elements adapted to be brought into an-d out of engagement, and means being provided whereby theside supports `are moved a short distance away from each other to release said cio-operating parts or elements and permit displacement of the top, and whereby said side supports are moved towards one another for bringing said co.. operating parts cr elements into engagement and fixing the top against displacement. l

According to a particular arrangement, the pivotally displaceable or reversible table top is mounted to swivel upon a cross spindle projecting from two opposite sides of the top and having its two projecting endsv oppositely screwthreaded, said" spindle ends co-operating with internally threaded sockets or sleeves in side supports or standards or parts thereon, and means being provided for rotating the spindle whereby rotation in one direction releases the top for swivelling, and rotation in an opposite direction fixes said top against movement. I

For the purpose of more fully describing the nature of this invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a table having a reversible top, and shows the top fixed in the in use position.

Figure 2 illustrates the same table, with the top released and swivelled from its fixed position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the table, the section being rtaken in a vertical plane through the axis of movement of the top.

Figure 4 is an enlarged part sectional view showing the xing means for the top.

Figure 5 is a detailed view in perspective of means for carrying one end of the cross spindle on'which the top swivels.

Figure 6 shows a slotted attachment plate for use in detachably fixing a crossbar or member between the table legs or supports.

Figure 7 is a perspective View of a modied construction of table.

Figure S'is an enlarged detail-viewer part of the construction shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 illustrates in perspectives. further modied construction of table according to this invention. i

Figure 10 is a sideV View showing the table in Figure 9 folded or collapsed,

Figure 11 illustrates a further methodwhereby the swivelling topmay be rigidly mounted in a fixed position.

One method of carrying out the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1' to 6 of the accompanying drawings,` in respect of a table having a top which is adapted to be reversed so that either side face of said top can be brought uppermost.

The top i is mounted between tWo side supports or standards 2 which are connected together by any suitable means, such as by a horizontal cross member 3. The top I is mounted upon a cross spindle 4 which is located midway in the width of the top and extends through the thickness thereof, and for this purpose the top is advantageously of hollow construction; that is to say, same is composed of a frame 5, see Fig. 3, to opposite sides of which are secured plywood or equivalent panels 6 constituting the top and bottom faces of the table top. The frame 5 of the top I -is suitably bored so as rotatably .to receive a spindle 4, said spindle projecting a short distance from opposite side edges of the top, there being provided metal attachment plates 'I and 8 at said side edges constituting bearings for the spindle. The one bearing plate 8, see Figs. 3 5, is advantageously formed in two halves which are assembled around a reduced neck portion S of the spindle 4, thereby restraining the spindle from axial movement. The two end portions or extensions 4a of the spindle 4 are oppositely screw-threaded, and each of said threaded portions of .the spindle co-operates with an internally screw-threaded socket or sleeve III, the two sockets being let into the upper ends of the legs or supports 2 4and fixed in axial alignment with the spindle. One of the internally threaded sockets III is secured to and extends into the thickness of the leg from the inner face thereof, while the other internally threaded socket may if desired be fitted from the outer face oi?V the leg, the two sockets being advantageously provided withv flanges Ia for screwing same in position,

At one end of the cross spindle 4 is fixed a knob or equivalent spindle-turning element II, which may if desired be partly accommodated within a recess I2 forined'in the outer side `face of the leg 2; In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4, the knob is assembled on a squared end of the spindle 4 and fixed thereon by a small screw I3. .l

It is to be understood, however, that any suitable means may be provided for enabling the spindle 4 to be easily turned by hand.

The legs 2 are provided at their upper ends with horizontally extending portions I4, which may be so arranged that when the table top I is in the horizontal position, the top faces of said extensions I4 lie in' or substantially in the same plane as the upper face of the table top. The two opposite side edges I5 of the table top and the two inner vertical faces I6 of the upper portions I4 of the table legs, are provided with releasable interlocking elements adapted to be brought `into engagement for rigidly supporting the table top in a horizontal position, and'out of engagement for permitting said top to be swivelled or reversed. In a convenient arrangement, elongated keys or ribs II are provided or formed on the inner faces I6 of the leg portions I4 adapted to co-act with -correspondingly shaped recesses or slots I8 in the side edges I5 of the table top, said keys or the like I'I having bevelled or tapered edges so as to be of substantially wedge shape, and slots or recesses I8 being correspondingly shaped. Preferably four of said keys and slots are provided, two lat each side of the table, and same are located equidistant from the central cross spindle 4. When the table top is xed in the horizontal or in use position, the keys I'I are entered into the slots I8, the oppositely screw-threaded spindle 4 being rotated so as to pull the upper leg portions I4 'tightly together in close contact with the side edges I5 of the tabletop. When it is desired to release the top I for pivotal displacement or reversal thereof, the spindle 4 is rotated in an opposite direction so as to force the upper leg portions I4 apart to a suiiicient extent to move the keys I'I clear of the `co-operating slots I8, and when the keys and slots have been so disengaged the table top is free to be swivelled on the spindle 4, When the top has been reversed or again brought to the horizontal position, the spindle 4 is turned in a direction to bring together the upper leg portions I4 and again enter the keys I'I into the slots I8, the upper leg portions and the side edges of the table being brought into close engagement.

It will be appreciated that the relative positions of the keys I1 and slots I8 may be reversed; that is to say, the keys may be on the table top and the slots in the inner faces of the legs. Also, in lieu of the keys and slots there may be provided pins or dowels and corresponding holes or sockets for receiving same, the pins being preferably rounded or partially tapered. Alternatively, ribs extending along the whole or along part of the length of the upper leg portions I4 may co-operate with grooves or channels extending along the side edges of the table top, or vice versa.

The side legs or supports 2, which may be of any convenient design, may be connected together and retained upright by a horizontal rail, bar or the like I9, said rail being releasably connected at its ends to the inner faces of the two side legs. One method of accomplishing this is by providing a headed bolt 2i) projecting from each end of the rail I9, the headed end of said bolt co-operating with a keyhole slot 2l in an attachment plate 22 let into and fixed to the inner face of each leg 2, there being a recess 23 formed in the leg for accommodating the head of the bolt 20. Advantageously also there may be a leaf spring or equivalent element 24 bearing on the head of the bolt 20 and functioning to hold said head up against the inner face of the attachment plate 22. The inner end of the bolt 20 receives a wing nut or the like 25, between which and the inner face of the end wall 26 of the rail IS, or a small face plate 21 attached to said wall, is assembled a small compression spring 28 or spring washer. The springs 28, or spring washers, provided on the bolts 2U at the back of the nuts 25, permit of the necessary small degree of movement of the legs 2 away from each other when the aforesaid spindle 4 is rotated to disconnect the keys and slots I'I, I8 for reversing or swivelling the table top. Advantageously the two ends of the horizontal rail or member I9 are formed with a pair of parallelly spaced vertical ribs or tenons 29 which co-operate with corresponding slots or grooves 30 in the legs 2, thereby maintaining the horizontal rail IS from turning or rocking movement between the legs.

The rail I9 may with advantage be constructed wholly or in part as a hollow box or container with hinged or other displaceable lid 3l.

In some cases it may be desirable to provide a table with four legs, one at or near each corner. One such arrangement is illustrated by way of example in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings. Two legs 32 are provided at each side of the table suitably connected at the upper ends to and projecting down from horizontal side bars or members I4 (which correspond to the portions I4 of the previously described construction) the top I being mounted to swivel or pivot between said bars I4 about the cross spindle 4 and to be locked or iixed in the in use position by co-operating keys I1 and slots I8 or their equivalent as before described. The legs 32 are tied or braced togetherin a manner which permits of said legs, together with the side bars It, being laterally displaced to a limited degree. One method of connecting together the four legs 32 is by two diagonally extending rods or bars 33 which cross orintersect one another midway in their length centrally or substantiatlly centrally of the table, said rods being suitably anchored at their ends to the inner faces of the legs and the anchorage being such as will enable the legs to have a sufficient degree of lateral movement at their upper ends or parts to permit ofthe bars it moving a short distance away from and towards each other by rotation of the screwed spindle ii so as to release the top for swivelling or nx same against swivelling as required.

In the arrangement illustrated, each le`g32l has .screwedv or otherwise xed to its inner face a bracket 34 having a socket, sleeve or eye portion 35 with its axis horizontal. Each of lthe two tie rods 33 is cranked at each end and said cranked ends are assembled within the sockets or sleeves 35 so as to be rotatable therein, there being provided nuts or equivalent terminals 3e screwed or otherwise fixed or formed at the cxtremities of the cranked ends of the rods 33 so as to hold said rods in the sockets. The two diagonally extending rods 33 may with advantage be suitably connected together at their point of intersection. For example, a small bolt or the like 31 may be inserted through perforations in the two rods, Conveniently the rods may be of circular section and may be flattened at the parts 33a; where the bolt or the like 37 is inserted.

It will be appreciated that the pivotal or hinged connection of the tie rods 33 to the legs -32.per-

mits of said legs with the top side bars I4 being displaced laterally by the turning movement of the cross spindle 4 to a suiiicient degree for enabling the top one to be released for swivelling L and fixed against swivelling in the manner previously described. It will also be appreciated that by providing a table with four corner legs and by providing diagonally disposed intersecting tie rods or the like 33, persons are enabled to sit at each of the four sides of the table without any obstruction to their knees or legs by said table legs or tie rods.

If desired, a table constructed in accordance with this invention may have its legs or supports I xed in such a manner as to permit of same being folded.

One construction of collapsible or foldable table is shown in Figures 9 and l0. Here the side members Ill (between which the top I is mounted to swivel on the cross spindle l and to which side members said top is adapted to be releasably connected by means such as keys Il and slots I8 as aforesaid) are themselves mounted for ready detachment from and attachment to bars or the like 3B fixed at the top of and extending between legs 32, so that the top I with side members I4 and cross spindle d can at any time be removed from the leg or other supports. When the top with the aforesaid associated parts has been detached, the table supports constituted by the legs 32 and cross bars 39 may be folded relatively to the diagonal tie rods 33 by virtue of the fact that said tie rods are hingedly connected at their ends to the legs 32. Thus the table supports and the tie rods can be brought into substantially one general plane. For example, as shown in Figure 1G, one of the side supports of the table may be folcled in one direction over or upon the tie rods while the opposite side support is folded in an opposite the dimensions of the' table permit, however, the

two side supports of the table may be folded inA the same direction, that is to say both on to the same side of the tie rods. It will thus be appreciated that the detached table top, together with the folded supports, can be brought into cornparatively small compass, thereby facilitating storage, packing, transport, etc.

The means for detachably xing the side, barsv I4 of the table top to the cross bars 3S of the side supports may be varied in many ways within the scope of the present invention. In the example,

split so as to provide a spring gripping engagement. Alternatively, either the pins or the sockets or both may be formed with bulged or eX'- panded portions', split or otherwise, for increasing the efficiency ofthe connection.

In lieu of the pins 39 and sockets 4I) there may be provided one or more mortise and tenon joints constituted by one or more projecting ribs or keys on the members I or members 38 engaging corresponding grooves in the members 38 or members I 4. In a further alternative arrangement the members I4 and 33 may be releasably connected by providing one or more plates or their equivalent on one of said members and screwing same to the other member.

It is of course not essential that the tie rods 33 be diagonally disposed, as other tie rods not so disposed may extend between the legs and be hingedly connected thereto for permitting folding of the legs. The diagonal disposition of the tie rods is, however, advantageous as same are out of the way of the legs of persons sitting at the table.

In Figure lll is illustrated a simplified method of releasably supporting the table ltop I between the side members I4. This is accomplished by providing a rabbeted joint between the top and said side members, each of the side members I I being provided at its inner face with a ledge lll, the side edges of the table top being adapted to bear upon the ledges 4I when the top is in the in use position and being moved out of engagement with said ledges by manipulation of the vaforesaid cross spindle 4 when the top is to be swivelled or reversed. The ledges 4I may be kformed by recessing the inner faces of the two side members I4 along the whole or part of the length thereof. This method of fixing the top I to the members I4 dispenses with the use of co-operating keys and slots or pegs and holes. It will be understood that .the top mounted between side members lli, as illustrated in Figure l1, may be rigidly xed to table supports or may e detachably lixed thereto for enabling the table to be folded or collapsed as before described.

Where the table top is completely reversible and is adapted to be fixed in either of two positions for use, one face of the top may be polished, while the other face may be unpolished so as to be used for domestic purposes such as for ironing, baking or the like. In such case the unpolished surface may be raised somewhat above the ltop faces of the legs 2 when said unpolished direction on to the other side of the tie rods. If

face is uppermost. It will be appreciated, however, that the reversible or swivelling top may be employed as a drawing board or may be provided at eli-ther or both sides wtih clips or elements for the attachment of a drawing board.

Iclaim:

1. A table or the like comprising a top, supports for the top, a pivotal mounting for the top whereby same can swivel in relation to the supports, co-operating parts or elements at adjacent parts of lthe top and the supports, said co-operating elements functioning when in engagement to retain the top rigid against pivotal movement, and means at the axis of movement of the top for moving said co-operating elements into and out of engagement so as either to x the top from movement or release same for pivotal displacement.

2. A table or the like comprising a. top, side supports for the top, an axle about which the top is adapted to swivel, said axle being carried by and extending between the two side supports, co-operating elements at opposite side edges of the top and the adjacent parts of the side lsupports, means for rotating the axle relatively to the supports and means whereby rotation of the axle in one direction releases the said co-operating elements .to permit pivotal or swivelling movement of the top, and rotation of the axle in an opposite direction brings the (3o-operating elements into engagement to x the top from movement.

3. A table or the like comprising a pivotally displaceable or reversible top, legs or uprights for carrying said top, side members associated with said legs and between which the top is mounted to swivel, a cross spindle on which said top swivels, said cross spindle projecting from two opposite sides of the top and having its projecting ends oppositely screw-threaded, internally and oppositely screw-threaded sockets on the side members between which the top is mounted, said oppositely screw-threaded spindle ends co-operating with said internally threaded sockets, co-operating elements provided at opposite side edges of the top and adjacent parts of the said -side members, means whereby rotation of the said cross spindle in one direction draws towards .one another the side members and brings into engagement the said co-operating elements to nx the top against movement, while rotation of said spindle in an opposite direction forces the Aside members apart to move the cooperating elements out of engagement and release the top for swivelling.

WILLIAM JAMES EVANS. 

